supporter of former national team coach Raymond Domenech and openly backed him to return to the team after the Euro 2008 debacle, however, not without declaring that radical changes would and should be made to the team. On 28 June 2010, following the debacle at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in which the French players went on strike to protest the exclusion of Nicolas Anelka from the team, Escalettes announced his resignation from his position effective 2 July. On 22 March 2011, he was awarded the UEFA Order of Merit by association president Michel Platini for his contributions to the sport. References External links Jean-Pierre Escalettes profile at fff.fr 1935 births Living people Sportspeople from Béziers French football chairmen and investors Alumni of the University of Bristol French footballers Association football midfielders Presidents of the French Football Federation